I'm 80 years old. Retired 15 years ago. Have been receiving SS benefits. Notified that SSA is terminating benefits based on my family income reported to the IRS. Can they do this?

Hi. No, Social Security couldn't terminate your Social Security benefits because of your income. Social Security is not needs based, so the amount of your income couldn't adversely affect your benefits.

Social Security does administer a needs based program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI), though, so if that's what you're receiving then your benefits could be terminated due to the amount of your income. But, if all you receive is Social Security benefits and not SSI, then I have no explanation for what you describe. I would suggest that you call Social Security to have them explain what is going on with your benefits.

Best, Jerry